Search Results (27,339)

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impairs quality of life. While pharmacological agents such as loperamide are widely used to induce constipation in experimental models, there is increasing interest in natural alternatives for alleviating intestinal dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the laxative effects of soybean powder fermented by Bacillus subtilis DKU_09 in a loperamide-induced rat model of constipation. The probiotic strain was isolated from cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste, and its identity was confirmed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Fermented soybean powder was characterized morphologically via scanning electron microscopy and chemically via HPLC to assess its isoflavone content. Rats were administered loperamide (5 mg/kg) for four days to induce constipation and were then treated with fermented soybean powder at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg. No pharmacological laxatives (e.g., PEG) were used as a positive control; instead, values from the treatment groups were compared with those from the loperamide-only constipation group. Key outcomes of fecal output, water content, colonic fecal retention, and gastrointestinal transit ratio were measured. The fermented product significantly improved stool frequency and moisture content, reduced colonic fecal retention, and restored gastrointestinal transit in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the 300 mg/kg group demonstrated nearly complete recovery of fecal parameters without affecting body weight. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. These findings suggest that Bacillus subtilis-fermented soybean powder exerts synergistic laxative effects through the combined action of probiotic viability and fermentation-enhanced bioactive compounds such as aglycone isoflavones. This study supports the potential use of fermented soybean-based nutraceuticals as a natural and safe intervention for constipation and gastrointestinal dysregulation. Full article

Force-field Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations are used to compare wetting behaviors of model carbon sheets mimicking neat graphene, its saturated derivative, graphane, and related planar allotropes penta-graphene, γ-graphyne, and ψ-graphene in contact with aqueous droplets or an aqueous film confined between parallel carbon sheets. Atomistic and area-integrated surface/water potentials are found to be essentially equivalent in capturing moderate differences between the wetting free energies of tested substrates. Despite notable differences in mechanical and electric properties of distinct allotropes, the predicted allotrope/water contact angles span a narrow window of weakly hydrophilic values. Contact angles in the range of 80 ± 10° indicate modest hydration repulsion incapable of competing with van der Waals attraction between carbon particles. Poor dispersibility in neat water is hence a common feature of studied materials. Full article

Red deer fat makes up approximately 7–10% of the animal’s weight and is not currently used. Regarding sustainability in the food industry, it is desirable to look for opportunities for its processing and use, not only in the food industry. The aim of this study is the enzymatic modification of red deer fat, leading to modification of its physicochemical properties, and the study of changes in phase transitions of modified fat, its structure, color, and texture. Hydrolysis was performed using sn-1,3-specific lipase at different water concentrations (10–30%) and reaction times (2–6 h). The results showed that there was a significant decrease in melting and crystallization temperatures with an increasing degree of hydrolysis, which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. FTIR spectra revealed a decrease in the intensity of the ester bonds, indicating cleavage of triacylglycerols. Texture analysis of the modified fats confirmed a decrease in hardness of up to 50% and an increase in spreadability. The color parameter values remained within an acceptable range. The results show that enzymatic modification is an effective tool for targeted modification of red deer fat properties, and this expands the possibilities of its application in cosmetic matrices and food applications as functional lipids. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of different storage conditions, varying in light exposure, relative humidity (RH), and packaging materials, on the physicochemical stability of Lobosphaera sp. biomass, the retention of bioactive compounds, and the bioactivity of its extracts. Under light and 75% RH, the biomass absorbed moisture over time, reaching 0.779 ± 0.003 g/g dry weight (DW) after three months. This was accompanied by a decline in luminosity, chroma, and hue values. In contrast, samples stored under other conditions showed minimal changes, indicating that high humidity, combined with light exposure, compromises biomass stability. Packaging in metalized polyethylene terephthalate (PETmet/PE) effectively preserved the water content, color, and carotenoid levels during a two-month storage period. Bioactive compounds extracted via hydroethanolic ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded 15.48 ± 1.35% DW. Total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts declined over time in both PETmet/PE and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging, though the decrease was less pronounced in PETmet/PE. Antioxidant activity, assessed via the ABTS assay, remained stable, regardless of storage duration or packaging. Antimicrobial activity of the extract decreased over time but remained more effective against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes), with PETmet/PE packaging better preserving antimicrobial efficacy than LDPE. These findings underscore the importance of optimized storage conditions and packaging for maintaining the quality and bioactivity of Lobosphaera sp. biomass and its extracts. Full article

This study assesses future agricultural drought risk in the Ganjiang River Basin under climate change and land use change. A coupled analysis framework was established using the SWAT hydrological model, the CMIP6 climate models (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5), and the PLUS land use simulation model. Key methods included the Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI), travel time theory for drought event identification and duration analysis, Mann–Kendall trend test, and the Pettitt change-point test to examine soil moisture dynamics from 2027 to 2100. The results indicate that the CMIP6 ensemble performs excellently in temperature simulations, with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.89 and a root mean square error of RMSE = 1.2 °C, compared to the observational data. The MMM-Best model also performs well in precipitation simulations, with R² = 0.82 and RMSE = 15.3 mm, compared to observational data. Land use changes between 2000 and 2020 showed a decrease in forestland (−3.2%), grassland (−2.8%), and construction land (−1.5%), with an increase in water (4.8%) and unused land (2.7%). Under all emission scenarios, the SSMI values fluctuate with standard deviations of 0.85 (SSP1-2.6), 1.12 (SSP2-4.5), and 1.34 (SSP5-8.5), with the strongest drought intensity observed under SSP5-8.5 (minimum SSMI = −2.8). Drought events exhibited spatial and temporal heterogeneity across scenarios, with drought-affected areas ranging from 25% (SSP1-2.6) to 45% (SSP5-8.5) of the basin. Notably, abrupt changes in soil moisture under SSP5-8.5 occurred earlier (2045–2050) due to intensified land use change, indicating strong human influence on hydrological cycles. This study integrated the CMIP6 climate projections with high-resolution human activity data to advance drought risk assessment methods. It established a framework for assessing agricultural drought risk at the regional scale that comprehensively considers climate and human influences, providing targeted guidance for the formulation of adaptive water resource and land management strategies. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breed and sex (3 × 2) on the basic chemical composition, concentration of some minerals, and physicochemical properties of edible giblets of farm geese. The study material consisted of edible giblets (livers, gizzards, hearts) obtained from 42 geese from three Polish native breeds (Rypin, Suwałki, Kartuzy) at 220 weeks of age. Edible giblets were obtained during goose evisceration from seven males and seven females of each breed. Each bird was an experimental unit. Goose breed and sex had a significant effect on the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of the edible giblets. Rypin geese had higher (p < 0.05) intramuscular fat content in the gizzard and heart, as well as higher protein content in the heart and lower water content in the gizzard, compared to Kartuzy and Suwałki geese. Kartuzy geese, in turn, had higher content of water in the heart, and higher concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, sodium, and chromium in the liver, compared to Rypin and Suwałki geese. In turn, Suwałki geese had higher concentrations of phosphorus in the gizzard, and potassium, phosphorus, copper, and iron in the heart compared to the hearts of Rypin and Suwałki geese, while Kartuzy and Suwałki geese higher concentrations of sodium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese in hearts than the hearts of Rypin geese. In these studies, the highest lightness (L*) was observed in the liver and heart of Rypin geese, the lowest yellowness (b*) was observed in the gizzard of Suwałki geese, and the highest pH₂₄ and EC₂₄ were observed in the heart of Kartuzy geese. Regardless of breed, males had higher protein, collagen, and intramuscular fat contents in the heart, a higher water content in the gizzard, higher concentrations of potassium, and sodium in the liver and gizzard, copper in the heart and liver, and phosphorus in the gizzard, and less water in the heart and zinc in the liver, as well as higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of iron in the liver and heart compared with females. The breed by sex interaction was significant for intramuscular fat and water content in the gizzard and heart, and protein content in the heart. Significant differences were also noted for EC₂₄ in the liver and heart, yellowness of the gizzard, and concentrations of most labeled minerals in edible giblets. The obtained results indicate that the nutritional value and suitability of edible goose giblets for the poultry industry vary depending on breed and sex. Due to the limited research on the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of goose giblets, further research in this area is necessary in the future. Full article

Gaming has evolved into a cultural phenomenon with a global reach, captivating millions of individuals. Nevertheless, little is known about this population. We aim to physiologically characterise the Portuguese gamers, bearing in mind that phase angle (PhA) is a general indicator of health, to check possible correlations between body composition, strength, and nutrition. A sample of 35 male gamers (individuals who play video games) was evaluated for anthropometry; body composition through DXA for whole-body bone mineral content (BMC), fat-free mass (FFM, kg), fat mass, and visceral adipose tissue, and through BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) for total body water (TBW), water pools (extracellular water and intracellular water, ICW), and PhA; strength through maximal isometric handgrip strength using a dynamometer; and nutritional intake using a three-day food record. Results show that participants are within reference metrics for all the analysed variables except regarding protein and carbohydrate intake (all values are above and below the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between PhA and TBW, ICW, handgrip strength, BMC and FFM, and a negative correlation with fat mass (absolute, percentage and visceral). In conclusion, PhA correlates with body composition variables, which aligns with previous research as a predictor of health and performance. Full article

The windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) is common in coastal areas of the Philippines, thriving in brackish waters. Its shells underpin the local craft industries. While its meat is edible, only small amounts are consumed locally, most going to waste. Utilization of this potential nutrient source is hindered by the lack of information concerning its organic and mineral content, the possible presence of heavy metal ions, and the risk of microbial pathogens. We report extensive analysis of the meat from Placuna placenta, harvested during three different seasons to account for potential variations. This comprises proximate analysis, mineral, antioxidant, and microbial analyses. While considerable seasonal variation was observed, the windowpane oyster was found to be a rich source of protein, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates, comparing well with the meats of other shellfish and land animals. Following pre-cooking (~90 °C, 25–30 min), the standard local method for food preparation, no viable E. coli or Salmonella sp. were detected. Mineral content was broadly similar to that reported in fish, although iron, zinc, and copper were more highly represented, nevertheless, heavy metals were below internationally acceptable levels, with the exception of one of three samples, which was slightly above the only current standard, FSANZ. Whether the arsenic was in the safer organic form, which is commonly the case for shellfish, or the more toxic inorganic form remains to be established. This and the variation of arsenic over time will need to be considered when developing food products. Overall, the meat of the windowpane oyster is a valuable food resource and its current (albeit low-level) use should lower any barriers to its acceptance, making it suitable for commercialization. The present data support its development for high-value food products in urban markets. Full article

The presence of ciprofloxacin antibiotic in water is a threat to humans and aquatic life since antibiotics are currently regarded as emerging contaminants of major concern. This work reported the use of Nexar^TM film, a sulfonated pentablock copolymer, to effectively remove ciprofloxacin antibiotic from water in a sustainable approach. The removal efficiency of Nexar film was evaluated in aqueous or salty (NaCl 0.5 M) ciprofloxacin solutions as a function of contact time and the initial ciprofloxacin concentration. In the investigated conditions, the polymeric film totally removed ciprofloxacin in MilliQ solution while its removal efficiency in salty solution was approximately 73%. This lower value is due to the presence of Na⁺ ions that compete with antibiotic molecules for adsorption on active surface sites of the polymeric film. No further release of adsorbed antibiotic molecules occurred. The kinetic studies, conducted for ciprofloxacin adsorption on Nexar film in both MilliQ and salty solutions, revealed that the overall sorption process is controlled by the rate of surface reaction between ciprofloxacin molecules and active sites on Nexar surface. Furthermore, at equilibrium conditions, the isotherm model that best fits experimental parameters was not linear. This indicates that the competition between the solute and the solvent for binding sites on the adsorbent should be considered to describe adsorption processes in both MilliQ and salty solutions. Full article

In this study, the effects of water bath and ultrasonic bath systems on bioactive properties, phenolic components and fatty acid profiles of unroasted and roasted pumpkin seeds were investigated. It is thought that determining the bioactive components, phenolic constituents and fatty acid profiles of unroasted and roasted pumpkin seeds will lead to the establishment of usage norms according to their composition characteristics. Total phenolic quantities of the pumpkin seed extracts obtained by water bath extraction of the seeds were defined to be between 7.58 (control) and 11.55 (25 min) and 10.20 (control) and 17.18 mg GAE/100 g (50 min), respectively. Phenolic content increased by 50% after 50 min of ultrasonic extraction, indicating the efficiency of this method. Also, total flavonoid amounts increased about 55% after 25 min of ultrasonic extraction, indicating the efficiency of this method. It was observed that the catechin contents of unroasted pumpkin seeds obtained in water and ultrasonic baths decreased significantly at the 50th minute of extraction compared to the control. The antioxidant activity values (DPPH) of roasted pumpkin seeds treated in water- and ultrasonic bath systems increased by approximately 10% compared to the control at 50 min of sonication in both systems, respectively. Also, the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid amounts of the extracts obtained by both extraction systems of roasted pumpkin seeds were determined between 9.85 (50 min) and 17.22 mg/100 g (control) and 11.17 (25 min) and 13.74 mg/100 g (50 min), respectively. The linoleic acid amounts of unroasted pumpkin seed oils extracted in water- and ultrasonic baths varied between 52.34 (50 min) and 53.33% (control) to 52.90 (50 min) and 53.04% (control), respectively. The linoleic acid values of the roasted pumpkin seed oils were established to be between 52.30 (50 min) and 52.84 (25 min) and 52.32 (50 min) and 53.46% (25 min), respectively. In general, the phenolic compound amounts of roasted pumpkin seeds were higher than those of unroasted ones. The fatty acid amounts of pumpkin seed oils extracted with an ultrasonic bath were generally slightly higher than those extracted with a water bath. In future studies, changes in the phytochemical and bioactive properties of pumpkin seed oils obtained by applying different roasting techniques and extraction methods will be investigated. Full article

This study investigates long-term land surface temperature (LST) trends along the shoreline of Lake Drūkšiai, a transboundary lake in eastern Lithuania that formerly served as a cooling reservoir for the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). Although the INPP was decommissioned in 2009, its legacy continues to influence the lake’s thermal regime. Using Landsat 8 thermal infrared imagery and NDVI-based methods, we analysed spatial and temporal LST variations from 2013 to 2024. The results indicate persistent temperature anomalies and elevated LST values, particularly in zones previously affected by thermal discharges. The years 2020 and 2024 exhibited the highest average LST values; some years (e.g., 2018) showed lower readings due to localised environmental factors such as river inflow and seasonal variability. Despite a slight stabilisation observed in 2024, temperatures remain higher than those recorded in 2013, suggesting that pre-industrial thermal conditions have not yet been restored. These findings underscore the long-term environmental impacts of industrial activity and highlight the importance of satellite-based monitoring for the sustainable management of land, water resources, and coastal zones. Full article

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a key legume crop in Mediterranean agriculture, valued for its nutritional profile and adaptability. However, its productivity is severely impacted by drought stress. To identify microbial solutions that enhance drought resilience, we isolated seven Mesorhizobium strains from chickpea nodules collected in southern Spain and evaluated their cultivar-specific symbiotic performance. Two commercial cultivars (Pedrosillano and Blanco Lechoso) and twenty chickpea germplasms were tested under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions, both with and without drought stress. Initial screening in a sterile substrate using nodulation assays, shoot/root dry weight measurements, and acetylene reduction assays identified three elite strains (ISC11, ISC15, and ISC25) with superior symbiotic performance and nitrogenase activity. Greenhouse trials under reduced irrigation demonstrated that several strain–cultivar combinations significantly mitigated drought effects on plant biomass, with specific interactions (e.g., ISC25 with RR-98 or BT6-19) preserving over 70% of shoot biomass relative to controls. Whole-genome sequencing of the elite strains revealed diverse taxonomic affiliations—ISC11 as Mesorhizobium ciceri, ISC15 as Mesorhizobium mediterraneum, and ISC25 likely representing a novel species. Genome mining identified plant growth-promoting traits including ACC deaminase genes (in ISC11 and ISC25) and genes coding for auxin biosynthesis-related enzymes. Our findings highlight the potential of targeted rhizobial inoculants tailored to chickpea cultivars to improve crop performance under water-limiting conditions. Full article

This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (Mentha spicata L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (Salvia officinalis L. subsp. Officinalis). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K_C). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET_C reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

Metagenomic studies have provided deeper insights into the complex interactions between the skin and its microbiota. However, limited research has been conducted on the skin microbiota of Brazilian women. Given that Brazil ranks as the fourth-largest consumer of cosmetics worldwide, the development of new tools to analyze skin microbiota is crucial for formulating cosmetic products that promote a healthy microbiome. Skin samples were analyzed using the Illumina platform. Biometrology assessments were applied. The results showed pH variations were more pronounced in the older age group, along with higher transepidermal water loss values. Metagenomic analysis showed a predominance of Actinobacteria (83%), followed by Proteobacteria (7%), Firmicutes (9%) and Bacteroidetes (1%). In the older group (36–45 years old), an increase in Actinobacteria (87%) was observed and a decrease in Proteobacteria (6%). Moreover, the results differ from the international literature, since an increase in proteobacteria (13.9%) and a decrease in actinobacteria (46.7%) were observe in aged skin. The most abundant genus identified was Propionibacterium (84%), being the dominant species. Interestingly, previous studies have suggested a decline in Cutibacterium abundance with aging; although there is no significant difference, it is possible to observe an increasing trend in this genus in older skin. These studies can clarify many points about the skin microbiota of Brazilian women, and these findings could lead to the development of new cosmetics based on knowledge of the skin microbiome. Full article

Floods stand as one of the most harmful natural disasters, which have become more dangerous because of climate change effects on urban structures and agricultural fields. This research presents a comprehensive flood mapping approach that combines multi-sensor satellite data with a machine learning method to evaluate the July 2021 flood in the Netherlands. The research developed 25 different feature scenarios through the combination of Sentinel-1, Landsat-8, and Radarsat-2 imagery data by using backscattering coefficients together with optical Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Hue, Saturation, and Value (HSV) images and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-derived Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) texture features. The Random Forest (RF) classifier was optimized before its application based on two different flood-prone regions, which included Zutphen’s urban area and Heijen’s agricultural land. Results demonstrated that the multi-sensor fusion scenarios (S18, S20, and S25) achieved the highest classification performance, with overall accuracy reaching 96.4% (Kappa = 0.906–0.949) in Zutphen and 87.5% (Kappa = 0.754–0.833) in Heijen. For the flood class F1 scores of all scenarios, they varied from 0.742 to 0.969 in Zutphen and from 0.626 to 0.969 in Heijen. Eventually, the addition of SAR texture metrics enhanced flood boundary identification throughout both urban and agricultural settings. Radarsat-2 provided limited benefits to the overall results, since Sentinel-1 and Landsat-8 data proved more effective despite being freely available. This study demonstrates that using SAR and optical features together with texture information creates a powerful and expandable flood mapping system, and RF classification performs well in diverse landscape settings. Full article